Early this month, KITA sent a letter arguing that South Korean copper products pose no threat to U.S. national security and instead enhance the stability of the supply chain.
Industry data indicates that South Korea accounted for just 3.5% of U.S. copper imports in 2024.
The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated an investigation on March 10 to assess whether copper imports and related products are a threat to national security.
KITA highlighted the South Korean industry’s commitment to the U.S. market by noting LS Cable & System’s $800 million (703.2 million euros) investment in a new submarine cable plant in Virginia, which is set to begin construction this month.
Similarly, South Korean company Poongsan, known for copper and ammunition, has been operating a factory in Iowa since 1992, with an annual production capacity of 54,000 tons.
In the event that a full exemption is not feasible, KITA urged Washington to consider flexible measures, such as narrowing the scope of affected products.
